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Kazakhstan votes on whether to construct very first nuclear plant

K azakhstan began voting in a referendum on Sunday on whether to construct its very first nuclear reactor, an idea promoted by President KassymJomart Tokayev's federal government as the Central Asian country seeks to phase out contaminating coal plants.

The strategy has actually dealt with public criticism on issue over any associated threats, the Soviet nuclear testing legacy, and worries that Russia will be involved in the task.

I have actually pertained to the conclusion that the decision to build the nuclear reactor, and to build it with (Russian state nuclear firm) Rosatom, has already been made in (Tokayev's. workplace) and individuals of Kazakhstan are being invited to. polling stations as 'notaries' to confirm this decision. with their votes, popular blogger Vadim Boreiko composed.

In the village of Ulken on the coasts of Lake Balkash, which. the cabinet has actually designated as the site to construct the plant on,. some residents hoped the task would bring tasks while others. expressed issue about the influence on the quality of the lake. water.

I support the power plant, said Dametken Shulgeyeva, who. has resided in the village of 1,200 people for more than 20 years. This is our future.

Despite its significant natural gas reserves, the Main Asian. nation of 20 million relies mostly on coal-powered plants for. its electricity requires, supplemented by some hydroelectric plants. and the growing renewable energy sector.

Kazakhstan already imports electrical energy, mainly from Russia,. as its facilities, many of which are old, struggle to fulfill. domestic demand. And coal is normally considered the most. contaminating energy source.

SOVIET TRADITION

The federal government states a dependable energy supply is required to. supplement eco-friendly sources such as solar and wind power, and,. considering that Kazakhstan is one of the world's biggest uranium. producers, nuclear power is a rational choice.

In order not to remain on the sidelines of global progress,. we need to utilize our competitive advantages, Tokayev said ahead of. the vote.

The previous Soviet republic, nevertheless, does not enrich uranium. to the point where it can be used as fuel. The cabinet quotes. that a nuclear power plant would cost $10 billion-$ 12 billion to. build.

Critics say the same goal might be attained with gas-powered. plants which, although they still utilize fossil fuel, are much less. contaminating than coal plants and come with less risk.

Kazakhstan belonged to the Soviet Union in 1986 when the. Chornobyl nuclear disaster occurred, and 10s of thousands of. Kazakhs took part in the subsequent clean-up operation which. left numerous with life time health problems.

The country was also the website of numerous Soviet nuclear. weapon tests which have made swathes of land uninhabitable, led. to disease amongst people in close-by areas, and have actually made many. people distrustful of anything nuclear.

The referendum will be thought about legitimate if more than 50% of. registered voters cast their ballots.

Tokayev, who openly cast his vote in the capital Astana. informed press reporters he had no single nation or business in mind as a. prospective specialist.

My individual vision on this matter is that an international. consortium would need to work in Kazakhstan made up of global. business that have the most sophisticated technologies, he stated.

(source: Reuters)